In a troubling development, Nigeria has reported yet another abduction of schoolchildren in its volatile northern region, specifically in Kebbi state. The perpetrators of this latest incident remain unidentified, but it underscores the persistent insecurity plaguing Africa’s most populous nation. This pattern of kidnappings, which has become a grim hallmark of Nigeria’s northern crisis, has affected both children and adults, transcending religious and ethnic divides. The notorious Boko Haram insurgency, responsible for the mass abduction of 276 Chibok schoolgirls in 2014, has been a significant player in this crisis. However, other armed groups, including bandits motivated by financial gain, have also been active. Since the Chibok tragedy, over 1,500 students have been abducted, highlighting the ongoing vulnerability of educational institutions in the region. Boko Haram, which seeks to impose an Islamic state and rejects Western education, has seen a resurgence this year, with many of its fighters now aligned with an Islamic State affiliate. These groups continue to recruit vulnerable youth in a region where Nigerian authorities and humanitarian organizations struggle to maintain safety. Meanwhile, bandits, often former herders turned armed militants, target schools for ransom, exploiting the under-policed and vast landscape. The U.S.-backed Africa Center for Strategic Studies has noted that these bandits are responsible for a significant number of deaths in the northwest, rivaling the impact of Boko Haram and its affiliates in the northeast. Despite military efforts, including airstrikes and special operations, Islamic extremists have repeatedly overrun military outposts and raided civilian communities. In response to the escalating crisis, President Bola Tinubu recently replaced Nigeria’s security chiefs, and the U.S. government approved a $346 million arms sale to bolster Nigeria’s counterinsurgency efforts. However, the situation remains dire, with growing concerns about the links between bandits and militant groups, further complicating the security landscape.